A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that an effort led by Democratic lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections is invalid. The decision blocks a proposed constitutional amendment that would have significantly altered Virginia’s current congressional map.
Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. issued the ruling after reviewing a resolution passed by the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year. Democrats advanced the proposal after gaining control of both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office in the most recent statewide elections.
The amendment would have allowed lawmakers to redraw congressional districts before the next midterm elections, potentially reshaping the balance of political power in the state. Republicans opposed the plan, arguing it did not reflect Virginia’s closely divided electorate and raised concerns about fairness in the redistricting process.
Judge Hurley ruled that the resolution violated state procedural requirements in several ways. He found that lawmakers failed to properly place the amendment on the special session agenda, did not approve it before voting began in the prior general election, and did not provide the required public notice at least three months ahead of that election.
The ruling prevents the amendment from being placed on the ballot and means Virginia will continue using congressional maps adopted after the 2020 Census for the 2026 elections. Supporters of the proposal have indicated they plan to appeal the decision, though any changes would face tight timelines as election preparations move forward.